The abdominal hair-flicking with the rear leg is defensive, as is the stridulation that you hear (the hiss). I've kept tarantulas in the past, and you have no idea how badly those hairs itch. They're meant to get into rodents' windpipes and inflame their airways shut. T. blondi hairs are legendarily among the itchiest and most painful.
The only reason these folks didn't get bit was that the spider was relying on its menacing hiss and urticating hairs. They usually only bite if you're food-sized or if they perceive an immediate threat.
But keep cooing at it, dude. I'm sure the arthropod is bonding with you.